A recent Endangered Species Act 5-year review shows water use, habitat loss, and climate change continue to compromise recovery.
Northern California steelhead remain a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, according to NOAA Fisheries’ recent 5-year review. Despite numerous habitat restoration projects since 2016, the species faces ongoing threats from drought, high water temperatures, and climate change. The review emphasized integrating water conservation into habitat restoration projects to combat these threats.
NOAA Fisheries’ Seth Naman highlighted the need for projects conserving water during low flow periods in summer and fall due to climate change. The range of Northern California steelhead extends from Humboldt to Sonoma counties, with populations showing either no trend or slight declines since the last review. Many streams lack sufficient data to analyze trends, posing an additional concern.
Summer-run steelhead are particularly vulnerable to high water temperatures and low flow. Current population estimates are below 15% of ESA recovery goals. The 2014 California Water Action Plan mandated enhanced water flows in critical habitats, benefiting steelhead and Pacific salmon.
Legalization and regulation of cannabis under Proposition 64 have also improved steelhead protection by reducing illegal water diversion for unpermitted grow operations. Overfishing is not a significant threat, as commercial fishing is absent and recreational fishing is tightly managed.
Climate change poses the greatest long-term threat, affecting tidal wetlands, streamflows, and water temperatures, while increasing wildfires contribute to sediment and warmer streams. Ocean changes, including rising temperatures and acidification, further threaten steelhead by altering ecosystems and food webs.
The review’s primary recommendation is to support projects increasing summer and fall stream flows. The upcoming removal of Cape Horn and Scott dams on the Eel River is a positive development, potentially opening 300 miles of habitat. Continued protective efforts, water conservation, and habitat protection are essential for steelhead recovery.
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